The Housing Act 2004 introduced licensing for houses of multiple occupations in England and Wales. Higher education institutions are exempted from licensing providing they sign up to a code of practice that has been approved by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

3 codes of practice for the higher education sector were approved by Parliament in April 2006. These are:

• The Universities UK Code of Practice for University Managed Student Accommodation.
• The Accreditation Network UK Code of Practice for Student Accommodation Managed by Higher Education Establishments (HEEs)
• The Accreditation Network UK Code of Practice for Student Accommodation Managed by Undertakings Subject to HMO Licensing [in effect this means private suppliers of student accommodation]

In addition to Universities and HE colleges the codes are also open to FE colleges with residential accommodation and to private higher education providers, providing these institutions have the necessary mechanisms in place (eg. on complaints) to fall within the code.

All the codes are designed as statements of good practice which are subject to change and refinement in the light of experience. They should service to reinforce and, where necessary, encourage better management of accommodation provided by HEEs and major private suppliers. Together with licensing requirement for HMOs for privately rented property, they should help to effect a sustained improvement in the management of all forms of student housing.